Swimming apparatus



(No Model.)

N. PETERS, Phoio-lilhogmphnr. \Vashinglon. 11c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES R. DAELLENBAGH, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

S-WIMMING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,277, dated March 25, 1890.

Application filed August 29, 1889. Serial No. 322,311. (No model.)

T0 on whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES R. DAELLEN- BACH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Swimming Apparatus; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the in vention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to swimming apparatus designed to be used to increasea swimmers speed; and it consists in the construction and novel combination of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the apparatus attached to the left foot and ankle of the wearer, the apparatus occupying the position that it would while the foot of the wearer rests upon the ground or when the limb has been drawn toward the trunk of the wearer previous to making the swimming stroke or kick. Fig. 2 is a detail View of the frame of one of the wings. Fig. 3 shows the apparatus applied to one of the feet of the wearer, the wings being shown spread as they appear while the stroke or kick is being made while swimming. Fig. 4

is a view in perspective of the hinged boot or collar by which the apparatus is applied to the ankle of the swimmer. Figs. 5 and G are two front sections of the collar or boot. Fig. 7 is an inner face view of one section of the collar or boot. Fig. 8 is a face view of the latch or look for the collar or boot. Fig. 9 is an edge View of the latch or look. Fig. 10 is a plan View of a portion of the supporting-strap, which engages the sole of the boot and prevents the apparatus from sliding up on the leg of the swimmer while swimming. Fig. 11 is a top view of the apparatus. Fig. 12 is an end view of the device, showing that the inner wing A is shorter than the outer wing B, the same features being shown while the device is in the extended position in Fig. 3.

Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings, A designates the hinged boot or collar, which is designed to be clasped around the leg of the swimmer just above the ankle, and is provided with a hinged lock-bar B,

having a key 0 at one end, which is adapted to engage a keeper D in the opposite section of the hinged collar or boot A. From the lower end or bottom of the boot A a flexible strap E depends, and is designed to engage the bottom of the swimmers foot for the purpose of preventing the swimming apparatus from sliding upwardly on the ankle of the wearer when a stroke of the limb is made.

F is one of the frames of the wings, and is so shaped as to give it the form of awing bounded on its outer edge by a nearly braceshaped portion. G and on its inner edge by a concave portion, the whole frame being made from a single piece of wire. This frame 1s provided with eyes or ears I, to which a covering of rubber is secured in order to form the complete wings A. At their inner concave sides these wings A are hinged to cars L at diametricallyopposite points of the boot or collar A.

Elastic cords M are connected to the outer ends of the wings A B and are adapted to pass under the sole of the foot when the apparatus is worn. Elastic cords N are connected at their outer ends to the cords M and at their inner ends to the hinged boot or collar A. The object of these elastic cords is to limit the distance to which the wings may be opened when used and to return the wings to their closed positions at each time the apparatus is drawn through the water in bringing the leg into position for a stroke of the leg.

The device may be readily and easily applied to the ankles of the wearer, and may be worn while out of the water and walking, as well as when in the water and swimming. As they increase the amount of surface available when expanded or in the open position, they enable the swimmer to swim faster than he could do by the same amount of exertion, and as they are very light and impervious to water they maintain their lightness at all times both in and out of the water.

The device is simple and comparatively inexpensive, while the assistance it gives to the swimmer enables him to swim faster and longer with less exertion than he could possibly do without their aid.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination, with the collar, of wings hinged to the opposite sides thereof and one of the Wings being shorter than the other, as shown, and elastic cords connecting the Wings, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a hinged collar, of the wings hinged to opposite sides thereof, the Wing on the inside being smaller than the onter one. the elastic cords connecting the wings, and elastic cords leading from the latlfiGIOOTdS to the collar, substantially as speci- 3. The combination, with thehinged collar or boot provided with keepers in one sect-ion thereof, of the hinged lock-bar adapted to engage the keeper of the same, wings hinged to the collar, and elastic cords connecting the Wings, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

O. R. DAELLENBACH.

Witnesses:

L. BLA'I'TNER, GEORGE SENBERT. 

